Monday, February 4, 2013

Book Review: Let the Sky Fall by Shannon Messenger

SUMMARY: Seventeen-year-old Vane Weston has no idea how he survived the category five tornado that killed his parents. And he has no idea if the beautiful, dark-haired girl who’s swept through his dreams every night since the storm is real. But he hopes she is.

Seventeen-year-old Audra is a sylph, an air elemental. She walks on the wind, can translate its alluring songs, and can even coax it into a weapon with a simple string of commands. She’s also a guardian—Vane’s guardian—and has sworn an oath to protect Vane at all costs. Even if it means sacrificing her own life.

When a hasty mistake reveals their location to the enemy who murdered both of their families, Audra’s forced to help Vane remember who he is. He has a power to claim—the secret language of the West Wind, which only he can understand. But unlocking his heritage will also unlock the memory Audra needs him to forget. And their greatest danger is not the warriors coming to destroy them—but the forbidden romance that’s grown between them.

OPINION:

Captivating, beautiful, and witty, Let the Sky Fall is the perfect mix of so many elements into one whirlwind book. There is so much humor and fun, even with the rougher aspects. From a sweet and totally awkward romance to an intense and even painful story, there is an honesty which completely enamored me from the start.

Vane is hilarious, ridiculous in his own way, and the kind of guy who doesn’t take things too seriously yet isn't totally useless either. He’s a bit lazy, but with the right thing to focus on, he’s intense and determined. One of my favorite things about him, though, despite his ever-present wit, is how different he is compared to many other guy characters in the genre. He’s relatable, he’s genuine and nice, he’s a bit clueless…he’s just so real, in that way of the guy who sits next to you in class, rather than the guy across the room who scares you as much as he intrigues you. I fell harder for him with every page. More than that, though, I loved watching him change and grow, watching him step up and face things that are really pretty scary and intimidating at times… and he doesn’t act totally fearless. He wears his emotions on his sleeve much of the time, and he isn't really ashamed of it either. Vane is just one of those characters who blows across the pages, as alluring as he is amusing, with a hint of a mess to him as well and I couldn’t get enough.

Then there’s Audra, with an airy, lyrical voice to her that is almost stoic at the start, yet morphs into something so different, and much more empathetic towards the end. She goes through tremendous changes of her own, as equally well done as Vane’s, and the interactions, and play offs between these two is easily my favorite part of this entire book. I love Audra for her loyalty to not only the Gales, but Vane specifically, and I love her for figuring out how to also come into her own person in the midst of everything, even if it isn’t always a breeze. Audra is very much a product of her situation, with some stormy parts of her past that she hasn’t exactly faced, yet it also isn't drowning her in the way often seen.

This is definitely one of those read in one sitting kind of books—the plot sucked me in at the start. There are so many elements and layers, as intricate as it is straightforward and fun. From the back story so easily blended into the bigger picture to the seamless worldbuilding, Messenger’s talent shines throughout. This is one of those books that sneaks up on you with everything actually going on, yet doesn’t overload readers at any given time. Creative in so many ways and completely easy to fall into, this book swept me off my feet. The writing is fabulous, with two very distinct voices and styles which not only lend vibrancy to Vane and Audra but makes for vivid action scenes and settings alike. Holding the perfect blend of humor and emotion, Let the Sky Fall is a breath of fresh air and is now on my favorites shelf.